"Four albums in and Mercury Rev remain as surprising and daring as ever — exchanging the volcanic noise and twisted sensibilities of earlier releases for ornate arrangements and ethereal strings, Deserter's Songs unlocks the beauty always hidden just below the band's surface, its lush harmonics and soothing textures bathing in an almost unearthly light. Standouts including the exquisitely waltz-like "Tonite It Shows" and the celestial "Endlessly" are like lullabies, their music-box melodies gentle and narcotic; even the most pop-oriented moments like "Opus 40" and "Hudson Line" share a symphonic, candy-colored majesty far removed from conventional rock idioms. Complete with its fractured instrumental interludes and odd effects, Deserter's Songs sounds like no other album — for that matter, it doesn't even sound like Mercury Rev, yet there's no mistaking the record's brilliance for anyone else."-Jason Ankeny-AllMusic

"See You On The Other Side is the third album by Mercury Rev, released in 1995.
This was the first Mercury Rev album without former lead singer Dave Baker. It also marks a transition between the earlier, noisier sound of their first two releases to the more orchestrated, soft, and lush arrangements the band would embrace on subsequent albums.
The title for the album comes from what Dave Fridmann would say to the band members before going onstage.
Jonathan Donahue considered this album to be Mercury Rev's best, and fell into a deep depression after its commercial failure. See You on the Other Side is also Grasshopper's favorite." - Wikipedia

"Boces is the second album by Mercury Rev, released in 1993. The band has explained the title as being inspired by the name of the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services in New York State, a vocational school system in the band's home state.
During the tour (on Lollapalooza) for this album, the band were forced off the stage for being too loud and noisy; according to legend, their soundman was taken away in a headlock." - Wikipedia

"Formed in the late 80’s, this band from Buffalo started with the reunion of vocalist David Baker with part-time members of FLAMING LIPS’ Jonathan Donahue (vocals, guitar) and Sean Mackowiak, known as “Grasshopper” (guitar and sound samples). Their first recordings were simply a means for creating soundtracks to experimental student films for friends and for themselves. Their music is a marriage of trippy searing noises, eerie vocals and crystalline pop with elaborate arrangements. Add some jazzy leaning and plenty of self-indulgent vibes that recall late 60’s/early 70’s psychedelia, and you’ll get the picture. Their career can practically be split into two eras: that covering their first three albums, and the rest.." - ProgArchives